Were Ancient Giants Vegetarian Intellectuals?

What are some of the most common references for giant humanoids? The Christian Bible, European legends and fairy tales, cultural folk tales, the Q’ran, ancient Chinese mythology, Hindu mythology, ancient Norse mythology, and the list goes on and on.

What about artifacts? Is there archaeological evidence to support the existence of a giant humanoid race in earth’s ancient history? Of course, there are lots of fringe science groups who claim all sorts of archaeological evidence indicating a giant race. The most credible testimony, however, would come from accredited colleges and groups like the Smithsonian and National Geographic who have conducted exhaustive efforts to verify claims of researchers. So, what do they say?

Well, sometimes that’s not always clear. News agencies have published reports referencing respectable institutions. These types of hoaxes have been going on for some time. However, with the advent of social media and its ability to create viral content, once a fake story is out there, it is difficult to ever overwhelm it with the truth. Especially if the truth is boring.

But, dear reader, the gringa says, “Not so fast!”. Although a fake news story about National Geographic discovering giant remains did occur, a REAL story about REAL giant humanoid remains WAS published by National Geographic itself. See how confusing chasing the truth can get? So, let’s disseminate some of the more common giant-related news stories and separate fact from fiction.

FAKE News: Published in 2014 by World News Daily Report, an article claimed that the US Supreme Court ruled in a case that would force the Smithsonian Institute to de-classify documents that covered up an archaeological find in the 1900s of thousands of giant humanoid skeletons. And plenty of fake pictures accompanied this fake story. Unknown to many readers of this “news site” is what is clearly stated in the website’s fine print: it is a news satire publication. In other words, they intentionally publish fake news. So, reader beware!

FAKE News: In 2004 a hoax was perpetrated involving a doctored photo of an “archaeologist” who had uncovered the remains of a giant in a dig in Saudi Arabia. National Geographic was credited as funding the expedition and breaking the story but that was simply untrue. Stories like this often have a financial motive to stimulate tourism.

REAL News: Published in 2012 by National Geographic is a report on ancient skeletal remains of a giant humanoid in what would have once been ancient Rome. The entire skeleton was intact and stood, get this, a whopping 6’8″. Yeah, not fake news but not really that much of an impressive “giant” either. Although this ancient Roman would have stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries, by today’s standards, among many Americans and Europeans, um, not so much. He probably wouldn’t even generate a second glance at the shopping mall. If he played on a professional basketball team he would simply be “average”.

Now, there is no doubt that occasionally a person is born with a genetic condition that will result in giantism. But the question about the past is if an entire race of giants existed, not just a blip on the genetic radar from time to time.

And think about this. Giantism is really a matter of perspective. In the US, the gringa’s considered short at 5’4″. However, I was in for quite a surprise the first time I traveled outside the US to a south-of-the-border country. In photo after photo of the gringa with locals or family from Peru, I am, practically, a giant in comparison. There is actually a related story that is quite amusing.

On one of our first trips to Peru we planned to go to the deep jungle. It is difficult for villages to get US goods, especially textiles. I decided to pack favorite name-brand clothing and shoes and give them all away when we arrived. While there I would purchase locally crafted textiles. Sure, the gringa arrived home with a wardrobe that was intrinsically linked to Incan culture, bright fabrics, vibrant patterns, etc. The only problem was that “pants” were “pedal-pushers” and “long-sleeve” shirts were actually “three-quarter” sleeve shirts. As for shoes, the best I could find to fit my big American feet was a pair of men’s sneakers and several pairs of flip-flops. So, giantism is relative to time and place.

NEVER Debunked: In 1912 an archaeological dig conducted by Beloit College found giant skeletal remains in several ancient mounds, thought to be burial mounds, in Wisconsin. Beloit College is a credentialed higher education institution still instructing students today. The site was near Delavan Lake, which was probably a prime habitat location for ancient peoples. It is thought that humans inhabited the area as early as 1000 BC and at one point, a mound building culture thrived in the area for centuries. And, apparently, they were quite large!

The Wisconsin Historical Society states that archaeologial evidence indicates that more than 200 mounds were studied by the college in the 1800s. At that time the area around the lake was still populated by the Potawotomi Indians.

Delving into the mounds revealed skeletal remains of individuals ranging in height from 7’6″ to an extraordinary 10′. Their skulls were enormous, even by today’s standards. Even stranger, many had an extra digit on their hands and feet. Their jaws featured a double row of teeth and, instead of having incisors for their front teeth, there were molars. Considering that incisors evolved to tear the flesh of meat and tough-skinned fruits, it is possible that these ancient giant humanoids were vegetarians. There was also evidence that they were different races.

This was not the only archeological dig in Wisconsin to find giants interred in burial mounds. They were also found in Maple Creek, Lake Mills, and Lake Lawn Farm. The Wisconsin remains have never been debunked as a hoax. So, they are either the real deal or the most successful prank ever perpetrated on the historical sciences communities about ancient mound builder societies.

JUDGE For Yourself: This is the story that the gringa hopes is true. Although skeletal remains were not found in an ancient Prague Castle to indicate a past population of giants, there is evidence to suggest that Slavic giants did exist and that they might have been scholars and intellectuals. The gringa’s talking about the legendary “Giant Library of Prague Castle”. Considering, however, that curators of the castle’s historical artifacts claim no connection with the photograph that gave birth to this legend, and no giant tomes have ever been found, the gringa believes she must remain disappointed.

And the credibility of these curators really shouldn’t be in question. Prague Castle is the largest castle in the Czech Republic. Construction began in 880 and was inhabited by royalty well into the mid-1900s. Wars often resulted in damage but the castle would faithfully be repaired. Now accessible to the public, visitors can enjoy acres upon acres of gardens, stables, historical architecture, period furniture, priceless art and the coveted opportunity to take a peek at the Czech Crown Jewels.

But even if no giants ever lived there and the library features no books big enough to swallow the gringa whole, it is still a delightful and entertaining prospect to imagine giant Czech kings and queens. The gringa can picture in her mind’s eye a sedate and very mindful giant mentoring a pint-sized human who sits upon the knee like a child. Perhaps they argue heatedly over a particular philosophical point, the tiny human hopping up to stand on the giant’s lap, attempting to make eye contact and poking a stubby finger into the giant’s chest in frustration, trying to make his point. And then there would be the rumble of speech that would come forth from enormous lungs and vocal chords that might create enough force to blow back the itty-bitty antagonist’s hair from his face. The good-natured, intellectual giant would chuckle at the audacity of the little creature. His good humor would surely be infectious and the two would soon be best friends again. The gringa can totally see this happening. But, alas, it can only happen in our imaginations! But, what else is our imagination for?

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gringaofthebarrio

A barrio gringa with a dream of cosmic proportions: writing to satiate my insatiable curiosity, worldwide literacy beginning with our youth, and to be the first barrio gringa to explore outer space!
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